The Theory of Determinism and its Implication on the Fundamental Principles of Freemasonry

By Bro. Bassous Cadmus Lodge No. 1002

For some of us, the philosophical theory of Determinism and its implications on freewill and on our understanding of the Great Architect of the Universe may be uncomfortable or disturbing, because it implies a loss of control—a feeling which no one really likes. As humans, we are under the influence of our own respective sociocultural backgrounds including religious precepts. This is normal. Not only is this normal, but it actually determines our lives and influences how we see and approach life matters. However, we as Freemasons are seeking the Truth, and we have an obligation to perfect our understanding of the concepts that are fundamental to the Craft. Therefore, as free men, we must have the courage (courage is a very essential quality in our quest) to leave no stone unturned to continuously seek the Light.

Thus, if we are truly free, no fear and no taboo may hinder our drive to make ourselves better. That is one of the essential missions of Freemasonry. This includes maintaining a critical eye on the beliefs and biases that we grew up with. We will evolve toward having more confidence in what we know, with stronger beliefs, a more solid knowledge that we can, in turn, communicate and share among us and beyond.

“Determinism” is the doctrine that all events, including human action, are ultimately determined by causes external to the will. Some philosophers have taken determinism to imply that individual human beings have no free will and cannot be held morally responsible for their actions. For this to be true, determinism must be absolute, and although there are philosophical theories of partial determinism, only an absolute and perfect mathematical system of an infinitely intricate chain of causes and effects unfolding in a perfectly logical succession of events truly defines determinism.

Roulette is a game of chance, only so long as we do not master all the parameters that enable us to accurately predict where the ball will settle.

We as humans can only attempt to examine a small chunk in the infinite timeline and attempt to comprehend determinism. It takes a perfect Being omniscience to muster the full sense of determinism. This Being would necessarily encompass the universe in its absolute entirety. I suppose you know who I am talking about. But we will get back to this thought later. I will instead begin with an example that simplifies the concept.

Here is an easy-to-grasp domino example in which an architect can devise a chain of events with a quasi-certain outcome: dominoes will make other dominoes fall, hitting a balance, causing it to pivot and spill a bottle of water, which then makes a boat sail, and so forth... this chain of events represents a predictable series of causes and effects that would unfold into an outcome that had been known in advance and are thus predetermined within a limited timeline, by a gifted, yet a small architect—a human architect, that is.

Now let us take another example where the outcome is theoretically unpredictable. Everybody agrees that the game of roulette is a game of chance. That is to say that no one knows in advance on which of the 37 holes the ball will settle. The wheel spins, a ball is sent spinning in the opposite direction around the edge unit it loses momentum and hits the spinning wheel and its holes until it settles in one of them.

Now let us imagine a scientific tool, a powerful computer that can analyze a great

number of parameters such as the exact speed of the wheel, the angle and the force of the croupier’s wrist throwing the ball, atmospheric parameters such as pressure, humidity... do you think we can predict where the ball will settle? Absolutely!! So, what does that mean?

It means that roulette is a game of chance only so long as we do not master all the parameters that enable us to accurately predict where the ball will settle. In other words, our ignorance makes it a game of chance, whereas knowledge makes it a known outcome, or if you like, a predetermined outcome.

Now let’s transpose these examples into behavior, our behavior. We can all agree that our behavior is influenced by events and experiences that shape our choices, and thus our actions. This is an undeniable fact. Yet, what would be much more controversial and would give us a feeling of discomfort and unease would be to say that all our actions and choices are predetermined. We would feel that our freedom is compromised, our freewill is tamed.

But what if our freedom and freewill are only an illusion, just like our illusion that roulette is a game of chance? What if with infinite knowledge (that is by definition unattainable to us), we could explain all of our actions and choices, and all of our behavior throughout our lifetime? That brings us to a metaphysical question:

Can we contemplate the idea that a Supreme Being that is omniscient could be the architect of the infinite complexity of all the chain of events that we will never comprehend but that we can only partially grasp? Could this partial comprehension constitute our illusion of freewill just like our illusion of a game of chance that is hardly a chance?

To see more clearly into the complexities of our existence, let’s look at a scientific theory concerning the creation of the universe that I’m sure you are all familiar with: the Big Bang Theory—a huge explosion that set off a chain of events that created the known universe and continue to unfold in space and time.

What if we can put in reverse motion that chain of events to go back to one entity that is whole and that aggregates everything that exists, from planets to a small rock, living and non-living creatures (actually particles) that compose the universe. Could we envision that this whole entity can be the Great Architect of the Universe and that we are all a small part of it? And He knows what we are doing and what we will be doing? Yet, by the limits of our knowledge, He has left us with a sense of freedom that bestows upon us the satisfaction of making our own choices and having some control over our destiny?

After all, our cultures, our respective religions have already encouraged us to believe in fate, in the will of God: “It would have happened anyway because it was to happen.” So, in other words, many of us already believe that things happen “for a reason.” Hence, we are ready to forego some control over our destiny to fate, or to the will of God. Consequently, we already believe in determinism, albeit only partially, precisely because we as humans can comprehend all but partially the complexity of the absolute, the infinite. Knowing that, should we be uncomfortable with the idea that our freewill is and always will be an illusion. Further, can we live with knowing that we are all intertwined together insomuch as we are each an integral part of the Great Architect of the Universe?

This, of course, would make us relinquish the portrait that we hold of God passed on to us by our cultural backgrounds. That is often the image of a wise, handsome, paternal figure that watches over us all and bestows justice in this world, sometimes in a way we do not understand. Would this image, naturally a function of our cultural bias be in contradiction with the image of the Great Architect that is brought about by determinism? I think not. On the contrary, I believe it makes our vision of the Great Architect more complete, more comprehensive and more compatible with science. We mustn’t have to choose between science and faith: creationism vs evolution, flat earth vs round earth, etc.

Science, including meteorology, medicine, statistics, etc. have made us better at predicting the future. What can be more in-line with determinism than the advance of science, if ultimately it can lead us to the Great Architect? But that is an entirely new chapter in exploring the viability of determinism as the ultimate theory, and better left for another article.

Furthermore, there are implications on the notions of guilt and merit. We can catch a glimpse of this concept from attenuating circumstances and aggravating circumstances in a court of law.

So, should we feel unease about being deprived of true freewill? Should we resent the theory of determinism because it deprives us of what we thought was ours? Not in my opinion. Because just as, so long as we do not master all the factors that determine where the ball will exactly fall, we can continue to play roulette and think of it as a game of chance, we can continue living our lives as if we are in control of our choices simply because only the Great Architect can achieve the omniscience that relieves us of this illusion. So we can continue living as usual with our lives, but with a better understanding of what one of our fundamental beliefs really means and how we as Freemasons (and as entities of the universe) are even more tied together than we had thought.

LEBANON’S TRAVAIL

By Joseph El-Khoury, PM Grand Liaison to the Middle East

Hope is the motto Lebanon has adapted since Phoenician times. Throughout history, many catastrophes as well as many uplifting events brought that country to prosperity. The Cedar Tree symbolized the hope and perseverance of the land which oftentimes has been called the “The Paris or Switzerland of the Middle East.” As Masons, we recall that King Solomon’s Temple made historic use of the cedar wood from the majestic Cedar trees of Lebanon.

Sadly, Lebanon has recently experienced several grave crises at once. In the past three years, the banks and Central Bank aiming to protect the currency started providing high interest rates. This has pushed the private sector aside because debt financing became too expensive and it could then not financially support working capital and investments. This has slowed down the economy, nearly bringing it to a halt.

This has been compounded by Syrian and Palestinian refugees. Their presence added a significant economic and social

WB Joseph El-Khoury

burden on the country, making Lebanon one of the few countries in history to have managed to support a refugee population amounting to more than a quarter of its own population. At the end of 2019, the government resigned, a new government was formed, foreign debt defaulted, and inflation hit record figures. The country entered the toughest socio-political/ economic turmoil it has ever to face since the end of the civil war in 1990.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has compounded all these difficulties, giving the Lebanese people little chance for economic

A new website has been created to collect funds for our Brethren in need in Lebanon. Click the image above to visit the site. U.S.-based donations can be made through the Masonic Foundation of DC by visiting https:// bit.ly/3kzUSjS to donate.

To donate by check, please make payable to The DC Masonic Foundation and mail to:

The DC Masonic Foundation 5428 MacArthur Blvd. NW Washington, DC 20016-2524

In the memo section, please write: “Beirut Relief Fund”

recovery. This has tipped the balance and moved Lebanon on Moody’s Investors Service Credit Score from C to CA, the same level as crisis-ravaged Venezuela.

“Beirutshima” was the final tipping point. A huge explosive bast in the heart of the port district of Beirut caused 150+ deaths, left 300,000 homeless, and caused estimated damages exceeding $10 billion. Unfortunately, as the root causes are examined it is beginning to become clear that gross negligence and possibly institutional corruption are to blame for this terrible, costly accident.

However, the Lebanese spirt is unbroken, everyone went directly to the streets and from each person’s personal initiative, started helping and supporting each other to recover as much as possible from this historical tragedy. The Brethren in Lebanon were of course not shy in stepping up for this responsibility, as well.

While Lebanon is passing through its toughest time in its recent history, the Brethren of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, represented by Phoenix and Cadmus Lodges, are actively providing support by every means possible.

Personally, as a branch manager of the major bank Credit Libanais, I am exerting the utmost efforts to coordinate many transactions that have required me never to miss a day during this pandemic, and always report to work despite all safety warnings to stay home.

Whether it’s providing food boxes and basic supplies for the poor or simply supporting people finding jobs, we are there doing our duty fully and wholeheartedly in the spirit of our Masonic tenets. We will indeed continue to play our role to uplift Lebanese society through this challenging period, as we are confident that our Brethren and the Lebanese people will be able to rise again from the ashes, like the phoenix, to achieve a stronger and more prosperous Lebanon.